Every day at VolleyMob we will preview several of the most notable and interesting matches in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball. We will offer an inside look at some of those top matchups each day as we carry along through the 2017 season.
*Note: The VolleyMob Top 25 Power Rankings are utilized for a team’s ranking
*The entire week’s schedule can be seen here.
THE BIG MATCH:
Missouri (17-9, 10-3) at #4 Florida (21-1, 13-1) – 1 pm ET
- How to follow: SEC Network/Florida Radio/Live Stats
The two teams who tied for the SEC championship in 2016 meet late in the 2017 season with similar hopes for one team while the other looks for an NCAA Tournament boosting victory.
The visiting Tigers of Missouri get Florida twice in their final five matches of the regular season, with this first coming in Gainesville. The Tigers had a rough start in non-conference after being ranked in the preseason, but have rolled in SEC play, including winning the last five. Alyssa Munlyn has been a force as a middle blocker on offense and defense so far this season, and will need to be on her ‘A’ game against Florida’s All-American in the middle.
Florida is in a race with Kentucky that continues to put pressure on every match to be a victory. At the very least, they know if they can win out at the very worst they would earn the split. Beyond that, winning out would give them a solid opportunity at a top four seed for the NCAA Tournament. Of course, to win out, it starts with this one as middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan will look to win the matchup with Munlyn and help her team to a strong result.
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
#13 Creighton (21-5, 14-1) at Butler (21-6, 11-4) – 1 pm ET
- How to follow: Facebook Live/Live Stats
Two of the top three teams in the Big East square off in Indianapolis for what should be Creighton’s firmest test remaining in the regular season. With just two matches after this one for Creighton and a three-match lead on Marquette, a victory over Butler would clinch the Big East outright. Beyond that, Butler is looking to boost its NCAA Tournament hopes while Creighton is looking to host the first/second round.
Drake (23-7, 12-4) at (RV) Missouri State (23-5, 15-0) – 3 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Live Stats
Missouri State is coming off a win last night against Northern Iowa, as not only did they sweep the Panthers in the match but for the regular season in the two-game series. With just three to go, it clinched at least a share of the MVC regular season title, as they can be a bit selfish and go for the outright crown in this one. It won’t be easy though as a tough Drake squad comes in with motivation after a five-set loss last night.
BEST OF THE REST:
#24 Wichita State (23-3, 15-0) at Cincinnati (11-16, 9-6) – Noon ET
- How to follow: Cincinnati TV/Wichita State Radio/Live Stats
Duke (16-10, 8-7) at (RV) Pittsburgh (20-6, 13-2) – 1 pm ET
- How to follow: ACC Network Extra/Live Stats
#15 Oregon (16-7, 9-6) at Arizona (9-15, 3-12) – 2 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
#7 Kentucky (21-3, 12-1) at Auburn (14-8, 7-6) – 2:30 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Auburn Radio/Game Tracker
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